So it was only fitting that supporters kicked off their sold-out May 10 gala at the museum honoring Simpson and his wife, Cal Shakes Executive Committee member Sharon Simpson, with a rousing round of that ol' natal day ditty.

"It's hard to get Barc to take credit for anything," said UC Chancellor Robert Birgeneau. "He and Sharon are among the most wonderful people I've met. Their generosity bridges art and athletics, which is key for the complete person."

Co-chaired by museum board members Ann Perrin and gallerist Tecoah Bruce, with board member Dr. Robert Shimshak as art auction chair, the bighearted tribute featured a Grace Catering dinner and raised $375K.

"Not only is Barclay my boss, but he's also my champion and guide," toasted BAM/PFA director Larry Rinder. "And he's the only person on earth I happily attend a meeting with at 7 a.m."

And there have been many meetings of late: Simpson is leading the charge to repurpose the old UC Printing plant into BAM/PFA'S $96 million, 48,000-square-foot, DS+R-designed space on Oxford and Center streets and scheduled to open in late 2015.

"Would you believe it?" Simpson joked. "The city of Berkeley is in favor of a new museum."

But Sharon Simpson expressed the heartfelt reason for their longtime, loyal support: "The arts feed our soul. And through education programs, opens the minds of young people."

"It's unconscionable that our government makes the unhealthiest food cheap," said Weil. "And the healthiest food so expensive."

The Farm Bill is up for vote in 2012 and Dan Imhoff, a local activist and author of "Food Fight," is hoping for a West Coast PAC among California, Washington and Oregon to push for bigger shifts in how the bill's $314 billion is divvied up.

"The bill needs to spend less on subsidies and more on getting healthy food to families in need to fight the nutritional challenges we all face," said Imhoff. "We need that PAC to raise millions so we can go to Washington and vote with our forks."